Monthly Archives: June 2016

Anti-PokerStars California coalition seeks mandatory 10-year timeout, $60m penalty

The California tribes blocking passage of the state’s latest online poker bill have proposed strict conditions for allowing PokerStars to get a license.

In a letter to Assemblyman Adam Gray obtained by Gambling Compliance scribe Chris Krafcik (@CKrafcik), the seven-tribe coalition led by the Pechanga and Agua Caliente bands reiterate their longstanding opposition to Gray’s AB 2863 legislation but offer specific remedies to alleviate their concerns.

The coalition has steadfastly objected to PokerStars participating in California’s online poker market due to the site having continued to serve US residents following the 2006 passage of the federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

The fact that Stars’ former owners sold their baby in 2014 to Canada’s Amaya Gaming doesn’t alleviate the coalition’s concerns over the use of Stars’ ‘tainted assets’ – software, databases, brand, etc. – because Stars used the post-UIGEA period to establish its brand’s preeminence among US poker players.

Anti-PokerStars California coalition seeks mandatory 10-year timeout, $60m penalty

The California tribes blocking passage of the state’s latest online poker bill have proposed strict conditions for allowing PokerStars to get a license.

In a letter to Assemblyman Adam Gray obtained by Gambling Compliance scribe Chris Krafcik (@CKrafcik), the seven-tribe coalition led by the Pechanga and Agua Caliente bands reiterate their longstanding opposition to Gray’s AB 2863 legislation but offer specific remedies to alleviate their concerns.

The coalition has steadfastly objected to PokerStars participating in California’s online poker market due to the site having continued to serve US residents following the 2006 passage of the federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

The fact that Stars’ former owners sold their baby in 2014 to Canada’s Amaya Gaming doesn’t alleviate the coalition’s concerns over the use of Stars’ ‘tainted assets’ – software, databases, brand, etc. – because Stars used the post-UIGEA period to establish its brand’s preeminence among US poker players.

Crazy Eights Team CardsChat to Feature 2016 WSOP Bracelet Winner Ryan Laplante

When Event #54, the inaugural Crazy Eights Eight Handed No Limit Hold’em, kicks off on Friday, July 1 at the Rio in Las Vegas, CardsChat will have a talented team of 18 players participating, and among them will be a 2016 WSOP bracelet winner in Ryan Laplante. The tournament is expected to draw a massive […]

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Crazy Eights Team CardsChat to Feature 2016 WSOP Bracelet Winner Ryan Laplante

When Event #54, the inaugural Crazy Eights Eight Handed No Limit Hold’em, kicks off on Friday, July 1 at the Rio in Las Vegas, CardsChat will have a talented team of 18 players participating, and among them will be a 2016 WSOP bracelet winner in Ryan Laplante. The tournament is expected to draw a massive […]

The post Crazy Eights Team CardsChat to Feature 2016 WSOP Bracelet Winner Ryan Laplante appeared first on .

Nevada casinos undone by baccarat and the absence of Mayweather, Pacquiao

Nevada casino revenue took a tumble in May thanks to a double-digit drop on the Las Vegas Strip.

Figures released Thursday by the Nevada Gaming Control Board show statewide gaming revenue of $958m in May, down 4.53% from the same month last year, although up dramatically from the $876m Nevada casinos earned in April 2016.

Revenue on the Strip was down 11.7% to $531m, driven in part by a poor comparison with last May, which featured the long-awaited Mayweather-Pacquiao boxing match and the inaugural Rock In Rio festival. Other factors included baccarat revenue, which tumbled 18.6% to $89m.

The lack of a marquee boxing event was enough to halt the winning streak at Nevada sportsbooks, which reported revenue of $5.9m, a whopping 70% year-on-year decline thanks to a woeful 1.9% hold.

Nevada casinos undone by baccarat and the absence of Mayweather, Pacquiao

Nevada casino revenue took a tumble in May thanks to a double-digit drop on the Las Vegas Strip.

Figures released Thursday by the Nevada Gaming Control Board show statewide gaming revenue of $958m in May, down 4.53% from the same month last year, although up dramatically from the $876m Nevada casinos earned in April 2016.

Revenue on the Strip was down 11.7% to $531m, driven in part by a poor comparison with last May, which featured the long-awaited Mayweather-Pacquiao boxing match and the inaugural Rock In Rio festival. Other factors included baccarat revenue, which tumbled 18.6% to $89m.

The lack of a marquee boxing event was enough to halt the winning streak at Nevada sportsbooks, which reported revenue of $5.9m, a whopping 70% year-on-year decline thanks to a woeful 1.9% hold.

Brooklyn DA busts “billion dollar” illegal online betting ring

The Brooklyn district attorney’s office has broken up what it’s calling a “billion-dollar sports gambling ring” that used password-protected websites and a Costa Rica-based ‘wire room.’

On Thursday, Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson announced a 57-count indictment against four individuals – including the alleged ringleader, California resident Gordon Mitchnick – who are facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the main charge of enterprise corruption.

Thompson said the ring operated via toll-free phone numbers and multiple ‘pay per head’ websites, including wagerabc.com, thewagerspot.com and hustler247.ag, through which customers could manage their wagering activity but all financial transactions were processed in person like traditional credit betting operations.

The ring had a customer list that numbered in the thousands, and Thompson said the sites handled $927m worth of wagers during the 2015 NFL season. Mitchnick utilized a variety of methods of laundering the ring’s betting proceeds, including buying over 20 houses.

WSOP Day 29 Recap: Hennigan, Mandavia, and Wolansky Take First in Events

Lots of jewelry changed hands on Day 29 of the 2016 WSOP.  Three players were awarded gold bracelets, including legendary gambler John Hennigan. “Johnny World” defeated Michael Gathy heads-up for the title in Event #47, the $10,000 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball (Limit). The match pitted old school versus new school, with the elder Hennigan (age 47) […]

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WSOP Day 29 Recap: Hennigan, Mandavia, and Wolansky Take First in Events

Lots of jewelry changed hands on Day 29 of the 2016 WSOP.  Three players were awarded gold bracelets, including legendary gambler John Hennigan. “Johnny World” defeated Michael Gathy heads-up for the title in Event #47, the $10,000 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball (Limit). The match pitted old school versus new school, with the elder Hennigan (age 47) […]

The post WSOP Day 29 Recap: Hennigan, Mandavia, and Wolansky Take First in Events appeared first on .